Reading Eagle: Bill Uhrich |
Chris Vazquez, a Reading Downtown Improvement District ambassador, holds the Chihuahua that he found Wednesday morning in a trash receptacle in the 1000 block of Penn Street.

Reading downtown worker finds Chihuahua in trash receptacle

Riding his bike along Penn Street this morning, Chris Vazquez of the Reading Downtown Improvement District noticed an older woman peering into a trash bin.

“I pulled over because it was unusual to see a woman looking headfirst into trash can,” said Vazquez, a downtown ambassador. “The woman looked over to me and started walking away.”

Vazquez decided to see what was inside the metal trash receptacle attached to a utility pole on Penn Street between 10th and 11th streets. He was surprised to see a tiny, brown Chihuahua peering back at him.

“The dog started shaking,” said Vazquez, who decided to take the frightened animal back to the DID office on Penn Street. Coworkers gathered around Vazquez as he held the lost dog. They gave her water and food and named her Lucky.

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Vazquez said he would like to keep the dog, but his apartment complex does not allow pets.

DID personnel took the dog to the Humane Society of Berks County, where office coordinator Chelsea Kappellano said the Chihuahua was relaxing Tuesday afternoon in a bed in the animal shelter's office.

“She is getting special treatment today,” Kappellano said. “She is getting some attention from staff members. She appears healthy. She is doing well. She is absolutely adorable. She is so sweet.”

Lucky, who Kappellano estimated to be at least 10 years old, will be seen by a veterinarian within a few days. After the exam, the agency will be better able to determine if the dog is suitable for adoption.

The Chihuahua was the third abandoned pet to be was dropped off at the city animal shelter this month.

On April 4, refuse workers collecting trash along North Front Street found a cat soaked with gasoline and crammed into a trash bag. The cat, which Humane Society workers named Maisy, survived the ordeal and is recovering in a foster home.

On April 8, hikers near Blue Marsh Lake found an American pit bull terrier abandoned on a trail. They brought the dog to the Humane Society, where office technicians named him Omnomnon.

“He was emaciated when he arrived,” Kappellano said. “He is doing well and may be up for adoption soon.”

Kappellano said shelter workers are saddened when pets are abandoned by owners and end up at the shelter.

“We have a positive attitude and try our best to treat them so they can be adopted,” she said. “We love to spoil them.”